22 September 2011 Last updated at 12:01

Newsnight presenter will pit cooks against each other

Kirsty Wark is extending her interest in cookery by signing up for a new BBC Two quiz show for foodies.

Kirsty Wark says she's 'crazy'about cooking

Currently appearing in Celebrity Masterchef on Daytime, the Newsnight presenter, who is best known for grilling politicians, will present the six-part A Question of Taste (provisional title), to be broadcast next spring.

The programme will consist of two teams of three friends, relatives or colleagues, all united by their love of food, going head to head in a series of rounds that will cover gastronomy, cooking techniques, recipes, ingredients, food history and science.

Armchair enthusiasts will be encouraged to play along at home through the use of onscreen graphics.

'This is going to be a real joy for me as I am crazy about cooking,' says Wark. 'Pitting enthusiastic cooks against each other and the audience at home with questions about ingredients, foodie facts, famous chefs and using archive from some kitchen greats will, I hope, be a very tasty dish.'

Silver River

Alison Kirkham, commissioning eitor for Formats & Features on BBC Two, comments: 'The series is a really distinctive new way to explore food and gastronomy on BBC Two.

'We're a nation of foodies and the food quiz format will capitalise on that interest by allowing the audience and panel to explore the depths of their gastronomic knowledge while being entertained.'

The series has been commissioned from Silver River Productions by Kirkham and channel controller Janice Hadlow, The commissioning executive for the BBC is Lisa Edwards while Daisy Goodwin is exec producer for Silver River.